Live Surgery
Real-time shoulder arthroscopy cases with transparent discussion of techniques, indications, and intraoperative decisions.
3rd Arthroscopic Gathering · April 2026
Skopje Arthro Fest 2026
A single-day, CME-accredited meeting dedicated entirely to shoulder arthroscopy — featuring live surgery sessions, interactive case analysis, and expert faculty discussion.
Hotel Aleksandar Palace, Skopje, North Macedonia
Free attendance · Registration required
Welcome Message
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
On behalf of the Arthroscopy Association of North Macedonia (AAONM), it is our great pleasure and honor to welcome you to the 3rd Arthroscopic Gathering – Skopje Arthro Fest 2026, taking place this April.
This year, we dedicate our meeting entirely to one joint — the shoulder. Under the theme "Trip Around the Shoulder", our program will guide participants through a comprehensive arthroscopic journey, focusing exclusively on contemporary shoulder surgery.
Arthro Fest 2026 will feature live surgery sessions, offering a transparent and interactive educational experience. Through real-time procedures, participants will observe current techniques, surgical strategies, and intraoperative decision-making in shoulder arthroscopy.
By focusing exclusively on the shoulder, this year's gathering allows us to explore the joint in depth — from instability and rotator cuff pathology to complex reconstructive procedures — strengthening both our understanding and our surgical precision.
Beyond the operating room, this meeting is a platform for professional exchange, collaboration, and the continued growth of our arthroscopic community. It is particularly encouraging to witness the increasing enthusiasm among younger colleagues, whose commitment ensures the future of shoulder arthroscopy in our region.
With collegial regards,
Arthroscopy Association of North Macedonia (AAONM)
CME Accreditation
This is a CME-accredited event.
Clinical Scope
In-depth focus on instability, rotator cuff pathology, complication management, and complex shoulder reconstruction.
Support
Questions about registration, accessibility, or certificates: info@saf2026.org.
Scientific Program
Program
A full-day shoulder-only track featuring live surgery, interactive analysis, and evidence-based discussion.
08:00-08:20
Registration
Registration
AAONM Organizing Team
Participant check-in and badge pickup.
08:20-08:30
Opening
Opening of the Symposium
AAONM Faculty
Welcome remarks and overview of the scientific day.
Morning Session
Session
Session: Rotator Cuff
Moderated Scientific Block
The morning track is dedicated to rotator cuff pathology and treatment strategy.
Round Table 1
Round Table
Round Table 1
Moderators: A. Ersen, B. Marjanovic, G. Vrgoc
Pre-live-surgery panel on regional rotator cuff experience and indications.
08:30-08:40
Talk
Rotator Cuff Pathology: Western Balkans Experience
Vladan Stevanovic - Serbia
Regional perspective and case patterns in rotator cuff disease.
08:40-08:50
Talk
Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: Treatment Options
Benjamin Marjanovic - Slovenia
Treatment pathways for large and complex cuff tears.
08:50-09:00
Talk
Asymptomatic Rupture of the Supraspinatus: When to Operate?
Tadija Petrovic - Croatia
Decision-making criteria for surgery in asymptomatic cuff rupture.
09:00-10:15
Live Surgery
Live Surgery 1: Rotator Cuff - Transosseous Repair
Boris Poberaj - Slovenia
Live operative demonstration of transosseous rotator cuff repair.
10:15-10:30
Round Table
Round Table Discussion
Faculty Panel
Discussion and analysis of Live Surgery 1.
10:30-10:45
Break
Coffee Break
All Participants
Networking and transition to the second rotator cuff block.
Round Table 2
Round Table
Round Table 2
Moderators: K. Bilsel, L. Kovacic, B. Iliev
Focused panel on operative indications and modern cuff treatment.
10:50-11:00
Talk
Midsize to Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: Indications for Operative Treatment
Goran Vrgoc - Croatia
Practical indications for surgery in midsize to massive tears.
11:00-11:10
Talk
2026 Update on Posterosuperior Cuff Treatment
Ladislav Kovacic - Slovenia
State-of-the-art update for posterosuperior cuff pathology.
11:10-11:20
Talk
Transosseous Cuff Repair: A Golden Standard Again?
Boris Poberaj - Slovenia
Current role and outcomes of transosseous repair techniques.
11:30-12:30
Live Surgery
Live Surgery 2: SCR with Long Head of Biceps
Benjamin Marjanovic - Slovenia
Live superior capsule reconstruction approach with LHBT strategy.
12:30-12:45
Round Table
Round Table Discussion
Faculty Panel
Case-based debrief following Live Surgery 2.
13:00-14:00
Break
Lunch
All Participants
Lunch break.
Afternoon Session
Session
Session: Shoulder Arthroplasty
Moderated Scientific Block
The afternoon track focuses on total, reverse, and fracture arthroplasty topics.
14:00-15:00
Live Surgery
Live Surgery 3: Stemless TSA (Arthrex Eclipse)
Vladan Stevanovic - Serbia
Moderators: N. Jovanovic, D. Martincic.
Round Table 3
Round Table
Round Table 3
Moderators: D. Martincic, B. Poberaj, S. Ninkovic
Arthroplasty panel discussion before the late-afternoon lecture block.
15:00-15:10
Talk
Total Anatomic Arthroplasty for OA
Ali Ersen - Turkey
Indications and expected outcomes for anatomic TSA in osteoarthritis.
15:10-15:20
Talk
Present and Future of TSA
David Martincic - Slovenia
Current trends and future direction in total shoulder arthroplasty.
15:20-15:30
Talk
Role of Shoulder Arthroplasty in Complex Proximal Humeral Fractures
Doc. Dr. Srdjan Ninkovic - Serbia
When arthroplasty is preferred in complex fracture management.
15:30-15:40
Talk
Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty for Proximal Humeral Fracture
Prof. Dr. Ivan Micic - Serbia
Current role and outcomes of hemiarthroplasty in fracture care.
15:40-15:50
Talk
Glenoid Bone Loss Management in RSA
Prof. Kerem Bilsel - Turkey
Strategies for glenoid deficiency in reverse shoulder arthroplasty.
15:50-16:00
Break
Coffee Break
All Participants
Short break before the final live surgery session.
16:00-17:00
Live Surgery
Live Surgery 4: Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty with aMGS and VIP Planning
Petkov Nenad
Reverse shoulder arthroplasty using the Augmented Modular Glenoid System with Virtual Implant Positioning planning.
17:00-17:15
Round Table
Round Table Discussion
Faculty Panel
Final discussion and questions after Live Surgery 4.
17:30
Closure
Closure
AAONM Organizing Committee
Closing remarks and end of symposium.
Host Organizations
- Arthroscopy Association of North Macedonia (AAONM)
- City General Hospital "September 8th" - Skopje
Venue and Map
Conference sessions are scheduled at Hotel Aleksandar Palace, Skopje, North Macedonia. The address is Bul. 8-mi Septemvri 15, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia.
- Registration desk opens at 08:00.
April 2026 · Skopje
Join us in Skopje this April
An intensive single-day shoulder arthroscopy program with live surgery, expert faculty, and CME-accredited learning. Attendance is free.